Author: kaybrownsite

It is sad to think that today is our last day in Hawaii with our beautiful Brown / Dobson family. This week has just flown by.

We are very glad the stars aligned and we have been able to spend some quality time together before we go our separate ways. It will only be a few more months before we become their noisy neighbours again.

A lovely casual start to the morning.

It looks like rain, oh look, it is raining…no it’s stopped, all good, the sun is out.

The Dobson’s and Shirley went to finish their last minute shopping and the rest of us spent a lovely morning swimming by the lagoon and a splash in the ocean. There are still no waves, at least I got my hair wet.

Back up to our rooms to have a light lunch and then the early afternoon spent chatting in Bernard and Shirley’s room.

Time to think about packing, sniff, sniff…

Back down for our last swim in the lagoon and beach.

Dinner at the Aussie themed Outback Steak House. I think Alf Stewart may have written the menu with its Bloomin Onion…

Return to the hotel and then bang, bang, fireworks! Once again, prime position on our balcony.

What a wonderful end to a wonderful week.

Noah Relaxing

Surfer Dude

A little bit cloudy

Will it rain?

The sun is out

Ilikai Hotel and Suites

View from the Hotel Dip Pool

Waikiki

Sorry about the sunscreen Noah

Our last swim

Nana and Aunty

Fireworks!

The Browns do Hawaii

With Bernard feeling a lot better we decided today would be a good day to get out of Waikiki and tour the island.

Hawaii at the moment, even more than normal, is in the peak tourist season and packed to the brim. Plus, the addition of 26 World Militaries who are participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise), hosted, every two years by the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

This has made getting the last minute car rental a little difficult and ultra expensive. We did manage to find a reasonably priced minivan to fit all nine us, however, this involved picking and dropping it off at the Honolulu Airport.

We were all ready and downstairs to organise an Uber by 7.30 am. A small hiccup, now the Uber prices were ultra expensive to get to the Budget depot.

In this instance, it was actually cheaper to take a cab. Which we did and a half an hour or so and two cabs later we were at the depot, waited in line, completed the paperwork, waited in line, collected the keys…

Just before 9 am, we were in the minivan and on our sightseeing way.

Our first stop was a quick pic and view of the navy ships at Pearl Harbor. We have decided not to visit the memorial on this trip, luckily most of us have seen it before.

Then onto the Dole Plantation. A historic pineapple plantation, now with a huge pineapple gift shop, train ride, maze and gorgeous tropical gardens.

We had a nice walk around the ‘free’ pineapple gardens and plants and made our purchases at the gift shop.

Back on the Brown / Dobson Tour of Oahu and onto the small North Shore surf town of Haleiwa. A short stroll around town and a light lunch purchased at the local supermarket. No long shopping stops with Peter Brown as our Tour Guide.

Next, a stop at the famous Waimea Bay. Surf is not up at the North Shore today, the ocean is completely flat.

Back on the road and onto Laniakea Beach where we spotted Sea Turtles swimming in the small bay.

A lovely picnic lunch at Pipeline Beach and a play in the trees for the boys, big and small.

We did hear a loud siren go off that we hoped was not a tsunami warning, maybe a shark warning?

In the end, they were just conducting the monthly hurricane siren test, phew.

We drove past Sunset Beach and the beautiful mountains, a stop at the Polynesian Cultural Center Marketplace with a refreshing shaved ice or smoothie and then another small stop to view Chinaman’s Hat Island at Kaneohe Bay.

It was wonderful to see a bit more of the island and I love, love the laid-back North Shore feel.

Our tour guide willed us back inside the minivan and it was time to drive back towards our hotel, through the mountains and via the airport to drop off the car and collect an Uber to the hotel.

A short re-group in our hotel rooms before Ubering out to the Cheese Cake Factory for dinner and a delicious food overload AND a sleepover at Aunty Chris’s for some.

I have really enjoyed Waikiki the second ‘healthy’ time around, however, the North Shore is still my favorite…

Smile Boys

Dole Plantation

Mumma and her chicks

Laniakea Beach

Navy Ships

Pearl Harbor

Sea Turtle

Relaxing Noah

All aboard the Brown/Dobbo Express

North Shore – Haleiwa

Haleiwa

Aloha

Our Wheels

Welcome to Waimea Bay

Cousins

Pipeline Beach

Pineapple, YUM

Kaneohe Bay

Wacky Wessy

Our Tour Guides

Don’t fall Wessy

Climbing Trees – Pipeline

Beautiful Mountains

Food Vans

More Mountains

Dudes and Dudettes

Beautiful Dole Plantation Gardens

Bernard’s Doppelganger

Picnic at Pipeline Beach

Waimea Bay Beach Boy

No Surf Today…

Chinaman’s Hat

Polynesian Cultural Center

Sleepovers!

The Dobsons had a fun-packed day of adventure planned at the Coral Crater today. It is a nice excuse for the rest of us to enjoy a relaxing day around the resort.

Pete took Noah and Wes downstairs for breakfast. I could not face another big meal and enjoyed my piece of toast and coffee in the room.

Unfortunately, there was a scolding tongue incident with a too hot, Hot Chocolate that put a little downer on their breakfast.

Wes spent as much time as he could in Aunty Chris’s room until it was time for their departure and we spent an easy morning inside relaxing.

Bernard was still unwell which took him and Shirley on a trip to the doctors. Hopefully, medication will help him on the mend.

A nice walk to downtown Waikiki for a light lunch and a walk back to the hotel along the beach.

More relaxing after lunch.

I even finished a book, the first on this trip.

Soon the Dobsons were back and we were ready for a lovely Italian meal (Fresco Italian Restaurant) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

A nice stroll back to our hotel and then time to retire for the day. An enjoyable, relaxing day in paradise.

Ready for lunch?

Waikiki Beach

No surf today

Walking along the beach

Waikiki Marina

Hawaiian Paradise

Dinner, who are we missing?

Hawaiian Sunsets

Our Wessy

Browns do Hawaiian Italy

It was a very quiet in-room breakfast this morning without our little Noah & Wes.

They were still having a fantastic time at Aunty Chris’s…

All good things must come to an end and their noisy gorgeous souls were soon back in our room.

We did have plans to visit Pearl Harbor this morning but unfortunately, Bernard is not well, so we will let him rest and hopefully, he will feel better later in the day.

Instead, Peter, Koji, Tom, Noah, Wes and I Ubered it to the bottom of the Diamond Head State Monument to climb to the top of the volcano.

It was a hot, busy (must remember to arrive before the tour buses) trail to the top, however, the views were amazing and completely worth the trek.

Back down and a shaved ice cone to cool down the boys.

Next, a walk down the road to explore the Farmers Market. Unfortunately, we were too late, the vendors were all packing up.

Not a problem, a nice walk to the Kahala Mall to meet Chris for lunch.

After filling our bellies Chris, Koji and Tom hit the mall and the sports stores and we took an Uber back to the hotel.

The good news is that Bernard and Shirley are feeling a lot better and were relaxing out on their balcony.

A load of washing and a nice rest in our cute hotel room overlooking the dip pool.

Down to the Lagoon for a quick swim and splash for Koji, Noah and Wes and even Nana and Pop managed a stroll down to enjoy the gorgeous spot.

Back to the delicious Chibaken Japanese Restaurant for Peter, Noah, Wes and I and then ice cream on our balconies with Nana and Pop.

A full day exploring the Oahu sights!

Inside the Crater

In The Uber

Walking the Track

Got your ticket?

Morning Cuddles

Busy Trail

Stop, need a cousin photo

Stunning Views

View across the crater

View to the Ocean

Waikiki

Back down we go

Beautiful Day

Diamond Head Crater this way…

Spot the Koji

Shaved Ice to Finish

More Excercise?

Through the Volcano

Parkour

Cousins are the Best

Relaxing

Fun in the Sun

Nonno not happy…

Eating Japanese, I really think so…

Chibaken Restaurant

A quick breakfast in the suite, ready for another day out on the island.

A small hiccup when we could not find the hotel’s complimentary shuttle into downtown Waikiki, but after jumping into two taxis, we were on our way to the Honolulu Zoo.

A nice stroll around the zoo and gardens. The kids love a zoo, the grown-ups are just happy the kids are enjoying the outdoors.

A small walk to our lunch spot, the Rock Island Cafe, a colourful, 1950’s-themed American restaurant & soda with Elvis, Marilyn and other 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s memorabilia.

With our tummies full of pizza, burgers, chicken wings and chilli dogs, we separated once again, some going back to yesterdays Ala Moana Mall, some exploring the Waikiki area and others trying to navigate their way back to the hotel.

I will leave it to your imagination as to who did what…

Just a note for my future reference. Trying on bathers after a meal of American ‘comfort’ food is not a great idea for your self-esteem.

Back to our rooms for a quick freshen up before a cruise on the Atlantis Submarine. As per the tour description, it offers an eye-opening journey travelling below the surface to visit shipwrecks, a sunken plane, other reef structures and marine life.

I will be sitting this one out, literally, with a hair appointment at the hotel. Please, please let this one go okay.  I don’t have enough hair left to lose anymore…

Word on the grapevine is that the submarine experience was excellent.

My hair? Super happy with what they did with what they had to work with.

A sleepover at Aunty Chris’s room for Noah and Wes and fireworks from the balcony.

Happy days for everybody.

Waiting for the shuttle…

Young Tarzans

Little Monkey

Spot the animal

Cousins

Flamingos

Love a Giraffe

More Monkeys…

Rock Island Cafe

Noah’s Next American Haircut

Downtown Waikiki

Store your board

Duke Kahanamoku Statue

Surfs Up

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Lagoon

Our first full day of Oahu, Hawaiian Touring.

The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites have a small kitchen which enabled us to have a light breakfast in our room, in our pyjamas.

It was nice and easy to get ready and only have to walk next door for our 8.45 meeting time.

We were all eager and ready to start our day of touring and with two Ubers organised we arrived at our first stop, the Foster Botanical Gardens. It was lovely to walk around the quiet, green gardens with beautiful old trees and pretty flowers.

Onto the Ala Moana Center for some retail therapy and a Brown gathering half way for a regroup and lunch at Romano’s Macaroni Grill.

Back out after lunch to continue to hit the mall.  I may have had one of my most successful shopping expeditions.

While at Ala Moana we had separated into smaller Brown/Dobson groups to explore according to interests and cousin idolisation. Wes went with Aunty Chris and Tom, Noah with Koji, Nana and Pop and Pete waited for me to shop up a Zara and Macy’s storm. Pete and I had a lovely stroll back to the hotel via the beach.

A quick hello with our neighbours (just like home) and then back to our room to relax before dinner.

Dinner at a delicious Japanese Restaurant and then a lovely stroll back to Chris and Shelley’s Outrigger Hotel to say our goodbyes to Shelley who is returning back to Australia. We are going to miss our Shelley catch-ups.

It has been wonderful being able to see and share some of our trip with you Shelley and we look forward to seeing you back in Geraldton. See you soon, your loving stalkers xxxx.

Pretty Flowers

Beautiful Old Trees

Foster Botanical Gardens

Tiki Totems

Cousins

Koji are you in there?

Nana and Wes

Gorgeous Boys

Shelley this is a CLASSIC!

Walking the gardens

Admiring Ancient Trees

Surfs Up

The Locals Beach

Pretty Orchids

Browns do the Botanical Gardens

Very Relaxing. and Quiet

Still Surfing

Gorgeous Chrissie

View from the Outrigger

First things first.

So this happened last night, our little Wes lost his first tooth. We were all only slightly excited, the video evidence might show us screeching like a pack of hyenas.

Therefore, it was very easy to get up this morning for our 6.30 am airport transfer, the Tooth Fairy had been and we are off to Hawaii.

In fact, the whole travel process today was completely effortless and hassle-free, bar the slight delay of our complimentary airport transfer. This was rectified quickly, our driver arrived and we were at the airport in plenty of time.

The definition of complementary: given or supplied free of charge.

Please don’t expect a tip for a complimentary airport transfer, especially from an Aussie who understands the definition of complimentary.

If a service charge was advertised by the hotel, now that is different…

But it wasn’t…

Next, baggage tags paid and attached, airline check-in and security check quick and easy, time for a nice light breakfast and then ready to board our plane.

I am NOT a good flyer and with it being a 9 am flight with the family, alcohol seemed a bit inappropriate.

Luckily, even with the pilot warning us, there could be a little turbulence, the flight was as smooth as could be.

My only negative, if I wanted to be a negative Nancy would be with Hawaiian Airlines in-flight service. You can not gloat about being one of the last American airlines to provide a free meal (a yogurt, couple of grapes and stale cake is nothing to brag about) and then charge 7.99 USD for each movie to watch.

Not cool Hawaiian Airlines, not cool.

Other then that our landing was perfect, an easy aircraft exit and bag collection and then off in an Uber to our Hotel,  Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites Waikiki.

AND we were greeted by our wonderful family. It was absolutely the BEST to see them.

Our original thought of perhaps travelling to Hawaii to surprise Chris had turned into a wonderful Brown family reunion with Grandparents, Aunts, Cousins, Nephews, & more Cousins.

We live next door to them all in Geraldton, we have missed them!

Luckily for us, our room was ready and we all piled in and chattered loudly for the next few hours. Level 2, Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites Waikiki will not know what has hit them, the Browns are in Town.

A nice walk around the resort and beach for Chris, the four boys and myself and maybe a sneaky ice cream.

An early dinner at the Red Lobster across the street, poor Koji and Tom were absolutely shattered and then some more chats back in our room for those who didn’t want to go straight to bed.

Boy, families sure are the best.

Gappy

Tiny Tooth

Cousins are…

The Best…

More Browns and a Dobbo

Gorgeous Lagoon

Big Cousins, small cousins

Ilikai Hotel and Suites

Waikiki Beach

Turtle Watching

Dinner at Red Lobster

Yep, Browns have arrived!

The Browns catching up…

Up early to finish last minute packing and cleaning touches, ready for our trip back to San Francisco. We have a flight to catch to Hawaii early tomorrow morning.

Yay, bring on the Brown Family Reunion…

Last night Pete discussed an ETD of 7 am and we were pulling out of the park at 7 am on the dot.

Back through South Lake Tahoe and across the border into California.

A quick McDonald stop for the boys.

Down the winding mountain roads, through the dry rolling El Dorado Hills and busy Sacramento and back on Interstate 80 West. Retracing the same route as our trip to Lake Tahoe a few days prior.

As we had cleared out the fridge this morning (ready to drop the motorhome at the San Francisco Road Bear RV Depot while we are away) and our tummies were rumbling, we needed a lunch stop.

Off the Interstate and to the only food establishment (typical when you want one) in the vicinity, the Beach Hut in Davis, California.

The Beach Hut, Davis, California, the restaurant where the staff get a big F and must repeat Customer Service 101. The staff and the employers…

Back on the road and back on the crowded, fast, at times with dangerous drivers, Interstate.

By early afternoon we had reached the Road Bear RV Depot, had dropped off the motorhome for repairs and storage and were in an Uber to our airport hotel for tonight, San Mateo SFO Airport Hotel.

A basic hotel at a reasonable price with a free airport shuttle. Pete was very happy with a hot hotel shower, it’s the simple things you miss. My experience was possibly the worse shower I have ever had. A big F for tap installation and design.

Not sure if F is a grade for me today or a remark.

Next door to the Holiday Inn for dinner, an early night, it feels like we are going on holidays…

Bye bye Lake Tahoe

Down the mountains

Leaving Zephyr Cove

Driving towards SFO

Near the airport…

An Uber back to San Francisco

Waiting, waiting

Reaching the Bay

Wow, a hotel room

Farms

On the road

Busy Interstate

Lunch Stop

Over SFO Bridges

Crossing the Bay

Crossing the border

Dinner at the Holiday Inn

Another easy start to the day, waiting for the sun to warm the morning chill.

A little bit of school work for the boys and a little bit of work for Peter and myself.

Yesterday, I must have been in a good mood and had promised Pete some time to himself. We all need a break from each other every now and again, 24/7 is a long time…

After a quick early lunch, Noah, Wes and I strolled over to the lake and hired a peddle boat. Once again it was wonderful to be out on the lake and the weather was perfect.

We cruised around the small island and lake and enjoyed the beautiful surrounds. It would have been awesome to go for a swim, the lake was crystal clear, however, all three of us warm water Aussies through the water was too cold.

Captain Noah loved steering the boat and although we had hired it for an hour (the minimum) we had used most of our peddle power before the time was up. Let’s turn back to shore.

As the weather today was beautiful we decided to find a nice shaded spot on the beach and the boys played in the sand, building sand castles, while I watched the world go by.

Our serenity was soon spoilt by a nosy goose and it was time to move on.

On our way back towards camp we ran into Pete who had come down after hearing fire, ambulance and police sirens. There did not appear to be any big emergency.

An ice-cream by the lake and then back to the motorhome.

Tomorrow we have a long drive back to San Francisco as we fly to Honolulu early on Wednesday morning. Brown Family reunion, we all can not wait.

The afternoon was spent packing, washing and relaxing.

Dinner across the road, sitting out on the patio, with one of our last views of the lake.

We have all absolutely loved our last minute stay in Summer Lake Tahoe.

My Office Today

Just Beautiful

School Work

Pete’s Office

Captain Noah

Stunning Lake Tahoe

Swim? Wish!

Deckie Wes

The crew

The Little Island

Sand Castles

Fun in the Sun

Dinner with the Brown Boys

Perfect Day

Which way Captain?

Dinner at the Captain’s Table

Last night before turning into bed we checked the Lake Tahoe weather. Ooh, it is going to be a chilly 4 degrees overnight.

Luckily, this time, we check that all of the hatches were closed and it did not nearly reach the, I am never moving from this doona cold, I was anticipating.

Noah, Wes and I enjoyed a lovely Tahoe Valley Campground breakfast of pancakes, bacon and sausages, eaten in their campsite mess tent.

After an easy morning with odds and sods and packing up the motorhome it was time to hit the road Jack and make the 20 minute drive around the lake to the Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina.

We passed through South Lake Tahoe and then across the Stateline into Nevada, the large casinos waiting right at the border.

Zephyr Cover is beautiful and it is a beautiful sunny day in Lake Tahoe.

After setting up camp at the RV Park we crossed the road to explore the marina and beach. The lake was filled with happy beachgoers, enjoying their relaxing Sunday.

We decided to return to camp, have a quick lunch and then go back and rent one of the boats to explore Lake Tahoe.

Just after 1 pm we were aboard our small powerboat and zipping across the lake with our speed demon captain, Peter Brown at the helm.

It was just wonderful to be out on the water. It sure is where the Browns are at our happiest, especially Pete.

Across the lake and to Emerald Bay where we saw the stunning Eagle Falls, Fannette Island and the 38 room mansion, Vikingsholm.

As we had only rented the boat for an hour, it was time to cruise back to Zephyr Cove (boat rental is not cheap). The boys and I loved sitting at the front, the wind rushing past and watching the gorgeous views. Pete was very content in his happy place, driving the boat and being on the water.

Across the road and back to the motorhome for a load of washing and a nice rest with the shimmering lake as our backdrop.

Time for a simple dinner lakeside, a lovely evening stroll along the beach and then time to retire to our motorhome.

Until tomorrow beautiful Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Beachgoers

The Marina Boys

Nevada Stateline

I’ll take the powerboat

Paddle Boats, Sups…

Ready for our Boat ride

Beautiful Lake Tahoe

Snow Capped Mountains

Navigating

Our Captain

Border Casinos

Zephyr Cove

Gorgeous Day and Boys

What a day!

Vikingsholm Mansion

Captain Pete

Relaxing Deckie

Emerald Bay

Ahoy!

Browns do Lake Tahoe

Returning to the Marina

Amazing Colour

Sitting up front

Our happy place

Fannette Island

Glassed Off…

Evening Tahoe Fun

Dinner at the Cove

Watching the Volleyball

Evening Beach Walks